Sex attack suspect is an NU student; investigated for 2nd assault

Patrick Barry, the defendant in a June 15 sexual assault and robbery, is a Northeastern University student who was identified after claiming that mysterious cuts on his face came from a knife fight, according to the university and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He was being held on $30,000 bail following his arraignment this morning.

Barry, 21, of 878 Huntington Ave. in Mission Hill, is charged in one of two similar attacks in the early morning hours of June 15. He is being investigated as a suspect in the other attack as well, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said in a press statement. Barry is facing charges of armed robbery, assault with intent to rape and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. A booking photo of Barry released by the Boston Police Department (BPD) showed him with two noticeable cuts on the right side of his face.

Barry’s attorney, Carlton Williams, declined to comment to the Gazette.

“We can confirm that Patrick is a student here, but nothing further,” said NU spokesperson Lauren Dibble in an email to the Gazette.

Dibble also provided the Gazette with a written statement from NU that reads: “Northeastern applauds the speed and diligence of the Boston Police Department in responding to the recent assaults. The university is dedicated to the safety of all Boston residents, including our Northeastern community. We are pursuing appropriate action in close coordination with Boston law enforcement authorities. Consistent with federal law, we cannot comment further on an individual student’s situation.”

Barry is charged in an attack around 2 a.m. in the area of Vancouver Street and Huntington Avenue. The victim said the suspect attacked her from behind with a knife, stole her purse and cell phone, and then dragged her to the area of 15 Vancouver, where he attempted to sexually assault her, according to BPD and the DA’s Office. The victim escaped, but suffered cuts to her face, arms and hands before getting help from Wentworth Institute of Technology campus police, according to the DA’s Office. Her injuries are reportedly “non-life-threatening,” according to BPD.

Barry was arrested after witnesses contact police in response to surveillance video images showing the suspect, according to the DA’s Office. Prosecutor say the witnesses told police that Barry was bleeding from cuts to his face early on the morning of June 16, and that he claimed the cuts came when he was attacked by a man with a knife whom he fought off with a knife of his own.

A second, similar attack on a woman was reported less than an hour later in the area of Parker Hill Street and Huntington Avenue, about a block from Barry’s home. In that incident, a woman was grabbed from behind by a knife-wielding attacker, who dragged her onto a side street. She also escaped and also suffered non-life-threatening wounds, according to BPD. No one has been charged in that attack, and the investigation continues, according to Conley and BPD.

Anyone with information about the cases can contact District B-2 detectives at 617-343-4275 or anonymously by calling 1-800-494-8477 or by texting the word “TIP” to 27463.

Barry’s next court appearance is slated for July 8, according to the DA’s Office.

The Boston Police booking photo of Patrick Barry, 21, of Mission Hill following his arrest this week in a June 15 attempted sexual assault. (Photo Courtesy Boston Police Department)